FitBuddy
A Social Fitness App for People Living a Sedentary Lifestyle
Project Overview
During the pandemic, I observed that people were not only struggling with inactivity but also facing loneliness. Friends and family often mentioned feeling unmotivated to exercise alone, despite using various fitness apps. This made me wonder: what if exercise could be more than just a personal fitness goal? Could it also be a way to connect with others, build social networks, and create motivation through community? FitBuddy was designed to provide support for both fitness and community.
Goal
​
To design a platform that helps users break free from sedentary habits and also inspires social connections, making exercise a shared and enjoyable experience. By connecting users with workout partners (and future friends), the platform encourages motivation, builds healthier routines, and promotes a happier, more connected life.
Impact
​
FitBuddy helps users overcome inactivity and loneliness by creating a collaborative platform that combines fitness and social support for sustainable, healthier lifestyles.
Problem
​
Despite the abundance of fitness apps, many users struggle to stay motivated and consistent. While these apps emphasise performance goals and competition, they often miss a key factor—social connection. Exercise isn’t just about hitting targets; it can be a shared experience that creates friendships, making it enjoyable and sustainable. By shifting the focus from external pressure to intrinsic motivation (where movement becomes social and therefore rewarding), users can build lasting habits and maintain an active lifestyle effortlessly.
Solution
​
FitBuddy connects users with workout partners who share similar fitness goals, providing the social support needed to make exercising enjoyable and sustainable. By integrating user-centric design and iterative research, I created an app that connects people and empowers users to stay active together.
My Role and Responsibilities
​
As the UX/UI Designer, I led the project from ideation to final prototype. My responsibilities included:
​
-
Conducting user research and interviews
-
Creating user personas
-
Designing wireframes, high-fidelity mock-ups, and prototypes
-
Usability testing and iterating based on feedback
-
Building a cohesive style guide and branding.
​
Tools: Sketch, Miro, InVision, Marvel, Google Workspace
Process
Research and Insights
​
Through user interviews and surveys, I discovered that the primary barrier to sustained fitness was the lack of a "driving force". Users needed a way to find accountability through a social network.
This insight shaped the core concept of FitBuddy: Connecting users with workout partners to make fitness social.
User Personas
​
I created two personas to define the target audience:
-
Jody Chill: Seeks to combat fatigue and meet new people through sociable exercise.
-
Neo Will: Ambitious about improving wellbeing but struggles with laziness.​
These personas guided the design process and ensured user-centred decisions.
Ideation and Wireframing
​
Using affinity mapping, I organised user insights into actionable categories.
I then sketched initial wireframes, focusing on seamless navigation and key features like finding a workout partner. These sketches evolved into detailed wireframes and high-fidelity mock-ups.
First Sketches
Branding and Accessibility
​
The app’s branding was inspired by the daisy flower, symbolising health and wellbeing.
FitBuddy Logo
During the design process, I encountered challenges with the colour palette failing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
After revising the palette, I achieved harmonious, accessible designs.
High Fidelity Mockups before first usability tests
Usability Testing
​
Testing with real users provided critical feedback. For example, adding a "Find Workout Partner" option under each workout on the Explore screen significantly improved user engagement and conversion rates. Iterations based on this feedback enhanced the app’s usability and alignment with user needs.
Impact
​
FitBuddy addresses the gap in existing fitness apps by empowering users to build sustainable habits and achieve their fitness goals through social support.
Key Outcomes
​​
-
Enhanced user motivation by integrating social interaction
-
Improved app accessibility and usability through iterative design
-
Learned valuable lessons in designing for diverse user needs​
Lessons Learned
​​
As my first UX/UI project, FitBuddy taught me the importance of iterative design, accessibility, and user-centred thinking. This experience has shaped my approach to problem solving and reinforced my passion for creating impactful digital solutions